Measles-Rubella: Osun intensifies efforts to vaccinate over 2m youngsters as marketing campaign ends Thursday
The Osun State Authorities has stated efforts are on high gear to make sure that the plans to vaccinate over two million youngsters towards measles and rubella are realised because the state spherical off its statewide immunisation marketing campaign tomorrow, Thursday, February 15, 2026.
The State Commissioner for Well being, Jola Akintola, has, through the launch of the immunisation marketing campaign, disclosed {that a} whole of two,048,840 youngsters had been focused for the measles–rubella vaccination train throughout the state’s 30 native authorities areas and the Modakeke Space Workplace.
He had defined that the intervention was aimed toward strengthening youngster well being and stopping vaccine-preventable illnesses.
In accordance with the Commissioner, youngsters aged 9 months to 14 years are eligible to obtain the vaccine through the marketing campaign, which is scheduled to run for ten days. The marketing campaign had began since January 27, 2027 and anticipated to finish February 5.
“This marketing campaign offers a chance to have interaction dad and mom, guardians and caregivers on the significance of the measles–rubella vaccine and its important function in defending youngsters,” Akintola stated.
He defined that the vaccination train displays the state authorities’s dedication to safeguarding the well being and well-being of its residents, significantly youngsters who’re most susceptible to vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Akintola assured residents that there was no trigger for concern, noting that the measles–rubella vaccine is just like different routine childhood vaccines.
“Early prevention by vaccination stays the best strategy, because it helps to strengthen the immune system of kids,” he said.
To satisfy desired outcomes, the Commissioner stated well being officers have been following up with the outlined marketing campaign methods which included fixed-post vaccination at well being amenities, school-based vaccination groups, house-to-house and neighborhood outreach providers, in addition to cellular vaccination groups for underserved, hard-to-reach and riverine communities.
He additional restated assurances that the vaccines are protected and accredited by the World Well being Organisation (WHO), including that they’ve been safely administered to tens of millions of kids globally.
Akintola known as on dad and mom, guardians and different stakeholders to assist what he described as a life-saving intervention by making certain that each eligible youngster in Osun State is vaccinated earlier than the shut of the marketing campaign.
Additionally talking, the State Immunisation Officer, Mrs. Francisca Olaore, stated that two extra days can be devoted to mop-up actions to succeed in youngsters who might have missed the preliminary part, bringing the entire length of the train to 12 days.
Mrs. Olaore described measles and rubella as extremely contagious viral illnesses that may trigger extreme issues in youngsters, together with pneumonia, diarrhoea, congenital rubella syndrome, blindness and deafness.
She assured that the vaccine is protected, noting that it has been out there within the state since November and has been correctly saved and managed on the state chilly retailer.
“Measures are additionally in place to forestall opposed occasions following immunisation,” she added.
In accordance with her, a complete of 814 well being amenities throughout the state have been collaborating within the train, with educated well being employees deployed to manage the vaccines, whereas short-term mounted posts can even be recognized and made conducive for the marketing campaign.
She urged dad and mom, guardians, caregivers and communities to make sure extensive protection, whereas additionally calling for the dispelling of unfounded rumours, which she famous typically hinder the success of vaccination campaigns.
The Everlasting Secretary, Ministry of Well being, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle, said that the measles–rubella vaccine has no dangerous results, noting that reactions noticed throughout nationwide immunisation workouts are normally minor and simply manageable by moms.
In his remarks, the Govt Secretary of the Osun State Main Well being Care Growth Board, Dr. Adesina Igbalaye, highlighted the significance of the measles–rubella vaccination marketing campaign, assuring that efforts are progressing to satisfy the focused youngsters.